Page 102 - GRIHA Manual Volume II - Introduction to National Rating System
P. 102
94 Griha Manual: Volume 2
a permanent sprinkler system, the sprinkler heads need to be adjusted properly to avoid watering
sidewalks and driveways. Also, a properly adjusted sprinkler head sprays large droplets of water
instead of a fog of fine mist which is more susceptible to evaporation and wind drift. With either
hose-end sprinklers or permanent systems, water between late evening and mid-morning to avoid
excessive waste through evaporation.
The major advantage for sprinkler irrigation is in lawn watering. A sprinkler system, hose-end or
permanent, is the most widely accepted way to water a turfgrass area. There are some drawbacks to
sprinkler irrigation. First, sprinklers wet the plants and flowers, as well as the soil. Water that remains
on plants through the night increases disease and decay.
The best time to sprinkler irrigate is early morning prior to sunrise or just after sunrise to allow
time for the leaf surface and flowers to dry before nightfall. Another disadvantage of sprinkler
irrigation occurs on windy days. Watering in as little as a 2.25 m/s wind will distribute the water
unevenly over the soil surface and cause a great deal of evaporation.
Drip irrigation
Drip irrigation offers increased watering efficiency and plant performance when compared to
sprinkler irrigation. Drip irrigation slowly applies water to soil. Water flows under low pressure
through emitters laid alongside the plants, bubblers or spray heads placed at each plant. Figure 1
demonstrates a simple drip irrigation system.
Water applied by drip irrigation has little chance of wastage through evaporation or run-off. The
water is applied directly to the plant’s root zone. This also eliminates wastage from applying water to
unplanted or weedy areas. Further, it has a better control and facilitates uniform water distribution.
However, this system cannot be used for lawns and ground covers but for non–native grass and
other non-xerophytic plants. A minimum length of time to operate a drip irrigation system is two to
three hours; however, it may take four to six hours to thoroughly wet the root zone of an established
large shrub or small tree. Covering the drip system with mulch is often recommended to hide the
drip tubing from view and add to the life expectancy of the system.
Figure 1 A simple drip irrigation system
a permanent sprinkler system, the sprinkler heads need to be adjusted properly to avoid watering
sidewalks and driveways. Also, a properly adjusted sprinkler head sprays large droplets of water
instead of a fog of fine mist which is more susceptible to evaporation and wind drift. With either
hose-end sprinklers or permanent systems, water between late evening and mid-morning to avoid
excessive waste through evaporation.
The major advantage for sprinkler irrigation is in lawn watering. A sprinkler system, hose-end or
permanent, is the most widely accepted way to water a turfgrass area. There are some drawbacks to
sprinkler irrigation. First, sprinklers wet the plants and flowers, as well as the soil. Water that remains
on plants through the night increases disease and decay.
The best time to sprinkler irrigate is early morning prior to sunrise or just after sunrise to allow
time for the leaf surface and flowers to dry before nightfall. Another disadvantage of sprinkler
irrigation occurs on windy days. Watering in as little as a 2.25 m/s wind will distribute the water
unevenly over the soil surface and cause a great deal of evaporation.
Drip irrigation
Drip irrigation offers increased watering efficiency and plant performance when compared to
sprinkler irrigation. Drip irrigation slowly applies water to soil. Water flows under low pressure
through emitters laid alongside the plants, bubblers or spray heads placed at each plant. Figure 1
demonstrates a simple drip irrigation system.
Water applied by drip irrigation has little chance of wastage through evaporation or run-off. The
water is applied directly to the plant’s root zone. This also eliminates wastage from applying water to
unplanted or weedy areas. Further, it has a better control and facilitates uniform water distribution.
However, this system cannot be used for lawns and ground covers but for non–native grass and
other non-xerophytic plants. A minimum length of time to operate a drip irrigation system is two to
three hours; however, it may take four to six hours to thoroughly wet the root zone of an established
large shrub or small tree. Covering the drip system with mulch is often recommended to hide the
drip tubing from view and add to the life expectancy of the system.
Figure 1 A simple drip irrigation system
